Ocean thermal energy conversion power plant

Abstract

An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion having a first deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage evaporator system, a second deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage condensing system, a third deck portion housing power generation equipment, cold water pipe; and a cold water pipe connection.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of connecting a submerged vertical pipe to a floating platform comprising:
 providing a floating structure having a vertical pipe receiving bay, wherein the pipe receiving bay has a first diameter; 
 providing a vertical pipe having a top end portion that has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter and a bearing surface; 
 inserting the top end portion of the vertical pipe into the vertical pipe receiving bay; 
 exposing a bearing surface of at least one detent such that the at least one detent has a diameter that is different from the first or second diameters; and 
 contacting the at least one detent with the bearing surface of the pipe to suspend the vertical pipe from the floating structure. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein moving the at least one detent comprises:
 extending the at least one detent from a housing defined in the receiving bay such that the at least one detent has a diameter that is different from the first or second diameters. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the diameter of the at least one detent is less than the first diameter and greater than the second diameter. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the at least one detent is less than the first diameter and greater than the second diameter. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving bay comprises walls that define a center of the receiving bay; wherein the center of the receiving bay is sized to receive the top end portion of the receiving bay. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein moving the at least one detent comprises:
 extending the at least one detent into the center of the receiving bay. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein extending the at least one detent into the center of the receiving bay comprises:
 moving the at least one detent from a first position to a second position. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one detent has a diameter. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the diameter of the at least one detent is greater than the first diameter of the pipe in the first position. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the diameter of the at least one detent is less than the first diameter of the pipe in the second position. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one detent is arranged in or on the pipe. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing surface of the at least one detent is configured to provide a dynamic bearing to pipe. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing surface of the at least one detent is or comprises a partial spherical or arcuate bearing surface. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a collar of the pipe is arranged at the top end portion of the pipe, wherein the collar comprises the bearing surface of the pipe. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein exposing the bearing surface of the at least one detent comprises:
 moving the at least one detent from a first position to a second position. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein contacting the at least one detent with the bearing surface of the pipe comprises:
 cooperatively seating the bearing surface of the collar on the bearing surface of the at least one detent to account for relative motion between the pipe and the platform without unseating the pipe. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein contacting the at least one detent with the bearing surface of the pipe comprises:
 creating a dynamic fluid seal by seating the bearing surface of the collar on the bearing surface of the at least one detent. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing surface of the pipe comprises a galvanic corrosion resistant coating and the bearing surface of the at least one detent comprises a galvanic corrosion resistant coating. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one detent is mechanically coupled to a detent housing arranged in the receiving bay. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 1 , wherein contacting the at least one detent with the bearing surface of the pipe comprises:
 creating a dynamic fluid seal by seating the bearing surface of the vertical pipe on the bearing surface of the at least one detent.